Maryland residents experiencing depression may be eligible for Social Security disability benefits. Depression can be a serious health concern and, according to a recent study published last week, working long hours can contribute to increased levels of depression.

This study followed almost 2,000 employees for over five years. Researchers studied the workers' hours on the job as well as whether they had a predisposition to depression and whether they experienced instances of severe depression over the period of five years.

Researchers found that, in those employees with no predisposition or existing risk factors that would make them more susceptible to depression, the occurrence of a "major depressive episode" was 2.43 times more likely for people working more than 11 hours per day as compared to those who worked only seven to eight hours per day.

The above statistics remained true for individuals who did have pre-existing risk factors for depression. Working long hours left these individuals even more likely to experience depression.

Depression has been proven to contribute to the worsening of many chronic diseases including the following:

• Asthma

• Arthritis

• Diabetes

• Cardiovascular disease

In addition, depression may cause increased absences from work and a decrease in productivity levels.

Researchers stated that although intermittent overtime may be beneficial to workplace productivity, employers should note that excessive overtime can cause severe depression.

When workers experience this depression from their excessive hours on the job, it may leave them mentally disabled or simply prevent them from effectively and efficiently maintaining their employment. This type of impact may leave them in need of Social Security disability benefits.

Source: CBS news, "Working overtime doubles depression risk," Monica DyBuncio, Jan. 26, 2012.